The Church, as the Fathers describe it, is a hospital for all of us, who inheriting a fallen nature, are suffering from various spiritual diseases that keep us from being who God wants us to become. The Church provides the place, the means and the doctors to help us heal, overcoming the shortcomings of our fallenness. The fasting, prayer, almsgiving and everything else that the Church brings to our attention are not a purpose in themselves but healing and transforming tools to achieve the likeness of God, the only doctor of our souls and bodies.

Here was my problem.Because Ignatius was a contemporary and disciple of the apostles, his understanding of the apostolic faith would have been identical to that of the apostles. Yet his 7 epistles, which are his last will and testament, indicate multiple doctrines that did not fit my Evangelical image of the early church and interpretation of Scripture.

Here are a few:1. Episcopal form of government.“Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the complete Church.” (Epistle to the Smyreans.)“As there is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants:” (Epistle to the Philadelphians.)

2. The true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in his goodness, raised up again… Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one whom he appoints.” (Epistle to the Smyreans.)“Take heed, then, to have but one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to [show forth] the unity of His blood; one altar; as there is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants: that so, whatsoever you do, you may do it according to [the will of] God.” (Epistle to the Philadelphians.)“I desire the Bread of God, the heavenly Bread, the Bread of Life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; I wish the drink of God, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.” (Epistle to the Romans).

3. The necessity and efficacy of Baptism.“He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water.” (The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians) This muddied the waters and eventually led me to Orthodoxy. I am not saying that all who consider the church that Ignatius painted will become Orthodox, but it was hard for me to support my own Scriptural interpretations against one who knew the writers of Scripture.http://myocn.net/saint-ignatius/

The Church isn't run by a single person. Instead, we come together in councils to keep the Faith and guide the Church through challenges. From the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem (in the Book of Acts) to the recent (2016) Great and Holy Council, this spirit of togetherness opens us to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And this spirit of cooperation and service can guide us wherever we are, no matter our role in the Church.

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